Research publications and return on library investment: a study of the NIRF ranking university libraries in India

Abstract

PurposeThe study aims to investigate returns on investment (ROI) from the academic library of India's top ten leading university libraries in terms of research publication. Librarians help academic researchers in a variety of ways. Some of these methods are collection oriented, whilst others are service oriented. The study investigates many factors responsible for the increased or decreased institutional ROI, performance and research out of the institution, such as total library budget, staff, library collection, service and facilities. The ROI % shows the institution's highest and lowest investment return in research publication.Design/methodology/approachThe study is expiation about ROI from the academic library of India's top ten leading university libraries in terms of research publication. The study is based on primary and secondary data gathered from the Ministry of Education, Government of India and universities ranking in June 2020. The data were compiled from the ranking list regarding total library budgets, staff and research publications for 2017–2020. The research is limited to a ROI analysis of university libraries. The study should aid libraries in better understanding the idea of ROI in order to improve library services. The study then looked at various institutions' ROI from 2017 to 2020.FindingsThe study aims to investigate ROI from the academic library of India's top ten leading university libraries in terms of research publication. This study investigates many factors responsible for the increased or decreased institutional ROI, performance and research out of the institution, such as total library budget, staff, library collection, service and facilities. The study found that the overall highest research output is by the Indian Institute of Science and the lowest by Jamia Millia Islamia among the ten leading university libraries in India.Originality/valueThe ROI study displays the importance of libraries in terms of research publication of the institutions. This research can also support decision-making, library collection development and institutional library system analysis. The library can assist with publications, sponsorships, grants, finances and teaching enhancement research output. The last point justifies the library's increased importance in establishing an organisation's status and obtaining accreditation.